But if one needed evidence of just how much more work needs to be done to transform Middlesbrough into anything but perennial strugglers, it was provided in abundance at the Riverside.
Yes, United's 'weakened' line-up would have been more than a match for most Premiership sides.
But few teams would have given the champions such an easy ride. Save for a 15-minute spell in the second half, it was little more than a stroll in the sunshine for United.
Venables has done extremely well with the resources available to him in the last five months, but from the moment Phil Neville scored after just four minutes the outcome was rarely in doubt.
For all the possession that Middlesbrough enjoyed, they seldom looked like hurting a United team that did not need to get out of second gear and David Beckham's goal was long overdue when it finally came six minutes from the end.
Ferguson, in a thinly-veiled reference to Roy Keane's accusation of 'complacency' among his Old Traf-ford team-mates, said: 'It was not a brilliant performance but it was decent. We worked very hard and that pleases me.
'Last Saturday's performance against Manchester City was very disappointing and there's a lot of disappointment about after Europe, but there was life in them today. I'm going to play younger players in the rest of the season.'
If United's senior players are lacking hunger, the introduction of the likes of 18-year-old midfielder Michael Stewart - who made an assured debut at the Riverside - in the final three games should ensure the team retains its desire and will to win.
Responding to Keane's comments, goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw said: 'The team works hard all the time. We want to show we're worthy champions and the best.'
Van der Gouw is desperate to retain his place in the United team for the remainder of the season because he is yet to make enough appearances to win a Premiership medal.
He said: 'There's no margin for error for me. I need to play in the last three matches to get a championship medal and I just hope I get picked. It's a big incentive for me.
'Ronny Johnsen needs to play in more games as well and the manager knows the situation with myself and Ronny.
'We've been champions four times in my five years at the club but I've only got one Premiership medal, from last season, to show for it.'
